Supported Living in Durham — Live Independently, With the Right Support

Our CQC-regulated supported living service empowers individuals with learning disabilities, mental health needs, or physical disabilities to live their own lives — with personalised, compassionate support that promotes genuine choice, independence, and community connection.

  • CQC Registered Provider
  • Personalised Support Plans
  • Promoting Choice & Independence
  • Community-Focused Care
A White European Almond Flex Care support worker with a young woman with a physical disability in her own Durham home

Supported Living Durham

What Is Supported Living?

Supported living is a model of care that enables individuals with learning disabilities, mental health conditions, or physical disabilities to live in their own home — whether that is a privately rented flat, a shared house, or another community setting — with the right level of personalised support in place.

Unlike residential care, where individuals live within a care facility on the provider's terms, supported living separates where a person lives from the support they receive. The individual holds their own tenancy or occupancy agreement, giving them genuine control over their home and their life.

At Almond Flex Care, we believe that every person — regardless of disability or need — has the right to live the life they choose. Our supported living service is built around each individual's aspirations, strengths, and goals. We provide the support needed to make independence a reality — not a privilege.

Our support workers are trained to work in an enabling, person-centred way — helping individuals build skills, maintain relationships, access their community, and live as independently as possible.

See What Supported Living Includes →

Who We Support

Who Is Supported Living For?

Our supported living service is designed for adults who wish to live independently in their own home but require regular, personalised support to do so safely and confidently.

People with Learning Disabilities

Adults with mild, moderate, or complex learning disabilities who wish to live in their own home with tailored, enabling support.

People with Mental Health Needs

Individuals managing mental health conditions who benefit from consistent, non-intrusive support to maintain independent living and community participation.

People with Physical Disabilities

Adults with physical or sensory disabilities who require practical support to manage daily life and access their community with confidence.

People with Autism

Autistic adults who benefit from structured, familiar routines and a consistent support worker who understands their individual communication style and preferences.

Young Adults Transitioning from Care

Young people moving from residential care or their family home into independent or semi-independent living for the first time.

People with Complex or Multiple Needs

Individuals with a combination of learning, physical, sensory, or mental health needs who require a carefully coordinated, flexible package of support.

Understanding Your Options

Supported Living vs Residential Care — What's the Difference?

For many families, understanding the difference between supported living and residential care is the first step to making the right decision. Here is a clear and honest comparison.

FeatureSupported LivingResidential Care
Where you liveYour own home or tenancyA care home or residential facility
Who controls your homeYou hold the tenancyThe provider controls the property
Flexibility of supportFully personalised to your needs and goalsBased on the facility's routines and capacity
Community accessActively encouraged and supportedMay be limited depending on the setting
Choice and controlMaximum choice over daily lifeMore institutional structure
Relationships & visitorsFull freedom — your home, your rulesMay be restricted by facility policies
Suitable forAdults with a wide range of support needsThose requiring 24-hour residential care
“Supported living puts the individual at the centre — their home, their choices, their life.”

What's Included

What Our Supported Living Service Covers

Every supported living package is built around the individual — their needs, their goals, their daily routine. Support may include any combination of the following:

  • Personal care and daily hygiene support
  • Medication management and prompting
  • Meal planning, preparation, and cooking skills
  • Budgeting, money management, and bill paying
  • Support with appointments and correspondence
  • Developing independent living skills
  • Accessing education, training, or employment
  • Community access and social inclusion
  • Support to maintain friendships and relationships
  • Accompanying to activities, events, and outings
  • Emotional support and mental wellbeing
  • Support with communication and self-expression
  • Working towards personal goals and aspirations
  • Liaison with social workers, families, and healthcare teams

Support hours are agreed in each individual's care and support plan — from a few hours a week to intensive daily support, depending on need.

A White European Almond Flex Care support worker helping a young man with a learning disability learn to cook in his Durham supported living flat — representing the independent living skills support included in the service

Getting Started

How We Arrange Supported Living Support

Arranging supported living support does not need to be complicated. We guide individuals, families, and professionals through every step — clearly and without pressure.

01

Get in Touch

Contact us directly, or ask a social worker, care manager, or healthcare professional to make a referral on your behalf. We welcome enquiries from individuals, families, and professional teams alike.

02

Needs Assessment & Support Planning

A member of our team meets with the individual — and their family or advocate if appropriate — to understand their support needs, aspirations, daily routines, and goals. We design a personalised support plan together.

03

Carer Matching & Introduction

We carefully match a support worker to the individual — taking into account personality, communication style, shared interests, and the specific skills required. An introduction meeting takes place before support begins.

04

Support Begins & Ongoing Review

Support starts on the agreed schedule. We review the plan regularly with the individual and their network — adjusting hours, tasks, and goals as needs evolve and independence grows.

An Almond Flex Care coordinator discussing a supported living plan with a young person and family in Durham
A South Asian Almond Flex Care support worker celebrating a client's achievement at a community art class in Durham — representing the community inclusion and independence that supported living provides

Why Choose Us

Why Choose Almond Flex Care for Supported Living?

  • Person-Centred from the Start

    Everything we do is driven by the individual's choices, goals, and aspirations — not the convenience of the service. Your plan, your life.

  • Trained and Consistent Support Workers

    We match support workers carefully and invest in their ongoing training — ensuring consistency, trust, and a genuinely enabling approach to every interaction.

  • Fully CQC Registered & Regulated

    Our supported living service is regulated by the Care Quality Commission — giving individuals, families, and commissioners complete confidence in our standards of care.

  • Promoting Independence at Every Step

    Our approach is always enabling, not doing. We support individuals to build skills, grow in confidence, and achieve greater independence over time.

  • Community-Focused Support

    We actively support individuals to access their community, pursue interests, build friendships, and live a full and connected life beyond their front door.

  • Collaborative with Families and Professionals

    We work closely with families, advocates, social workers, and healthcare professionals — maintaining open communication and a truly joined-up approach to support planning.

Common Questions

Supported Living — Frequently Asked Questions

In supported living, the individual lives in their own home — usually with a private tenancy or occupancy agreement — and receives support from a regulated provider such as Almond Flex Care. They have full control over their home and daily life. In a care home, the individual lives within a facility owned and operated by the care provider, with less personal autonomy and control.

What People Say

What Individuals and Families Say About Us

Since my son started with Almond Flex Care, his confidence has grown enormously. He is learning to cook, going out more independently, and for the first time in his life, he feels like his home is truly his own.

Helen B.

Mother of Supported Living Service User

Testimonials to be replaced with real client reviews before launch

Enquire About Supported Living Support

Complete the form below and a member of our supported living team will be in touch within one working day. We welcome enquiries from individuals, family members, advocates, and professional referrers.

Preferred Contact Method

Social workers, care managers, and NHS professionals are welcome to make referrals directly. Please call us or use this form and select "Professional Referral".

Prefer to call? +44 1442 967780 · Mon–Wed 8am–7pm · Thu–Fri 8am–5pm

Take the First Step

Everyone Deserves to Live the Life They Choose

Whether you are enquiring for yourself, a family member, or someone you support, our team is here to help — with expertise, compassion, and a genuine belief in every individual's right to independence. Get in touch today.

Free assessment · No obligation · CQC regulated service